"Obviously there would be losses incurred in converting the rotational energy to heat and then using that heat to generate electricity, so a big question that would have to be answered in development and testing would be how the system compares in efficiency and cost to battery storage."

Technology exists now for flow batteries like VRB-ESS out of Canada. The problem with wind energy is the need to "regulate" the prop speed to achieve the proper speed for generation of 60 cycle power. If you connect the drive directly to the prop, then low winds could generate power as well as high winds. The power generated would be rectified into D.C. then used to charge the flow batteries. The power then could be inverted to feed the utility grid.

This tpe of technology usage, can make wind and solar PV sources more like coal fired and natural gas plants that can be used as baseload as well as spinning load power sources.

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